Analysis of sustainable practices adopted in the health sector public procurement process of goods by the Provincial Director of Health Services Office, Central Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which the Provincial Director of Health Services Office, Central Province of Sri Lanka adopts sustainable procurement practices, when procuring required goods to meet the health service needs in the province. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out based on all goods procured in year 2018 and also upon obtaining views of all officers involved in the procurement process. A checklist assessed the integration of sustainability criteria in the procurement process and a self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to gauge the level of knowledge of the public officers involved in the process. Findings indicated that, the highest proportion of goods (69%, 131 items) purchased were related to medical equipment, procured upon fulfilling certain procurement criteria but lacked timeliness and adherence to certain key sustainable concepts. Lack of specific knowledge on sustainable procurement among the public officers, was another major concerning factor.